Railway-switch.



No. 698,952. Patented Apr. 29, I902. W. W. HOFFMAN. & F. W. POWERS.

RAILWAY SWITCH.

(Application filed. Aug. 12, 1901.

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No. 698,952. Patented Apr. 29, I902. W. W. HUFFMAN 8:. F. W. POWERS.

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W. W. HUFFMAN &. F. W. POWERS.

RAILWAY SWITCH.

(Application filed Aug. 12, 1901.)

'3 Sheets-Shoat 3.

(No Model.)

uuiizau I UNITED STATES \VILLIAM W. IIO'FFMAN'AND FRANCIS \V. POWERS, UF WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA, ASSIGNORS TO -ELEOTRIC AND STEAM RAILWAY SUPPLY 00., OF LAFAYETTE, INDIANA.

RAILWAY-SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 698,952, dated April 29, 1902. Application filed August 12,1901. Serial No. 71,817; (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: the'switch-point B being elevated when the Be it known that we, WILLIAM WV. HOFF- switch is closed for the main track, the switch- MAN and FRANCIS W. POWERS, citizens of point B at this time being depressed,theposithe-U uited States, residing at WestLafayette, tions of the switch-points being exactly rein the countyof Tippecanoe and State of Indiversed when the switch is open for the main ana, have invented certain new and useful track. 7 B is a spacing-bar connecting these Improvements in Railway-Switches; and We switch-points B B. Beneath these switchdo hereby declare the following to be a full, points B B are located a plurality of rockclear, and exact description of the invention,- shafts, the number of which may be varied as to such as will enable others skilled in the art to desired. Three of these rock-shafts are shown which it appertains to make and use the same. in the drawings and are designated 0 0 0 Our present invention relates to railway- Each of these rock-shafts is provided at one switches, and has for its object certain imend with a crank c and with the radially-disprovements over the invention shown and deposed lugs or supports 0' 0 each set at an an- I 5 scribed in Letters Patent No. 664,7 50, granted gle of ninety degrees around the shaft. Proto us on the 25th day of December, 1900. jecting from these lugs c c on the rock-shaftO It also contains certain features of novelty are radial pins 0 0 the purpose of which will that will hereinafter appear. hereinafter appear. D D D are chairs,of iron In order that our said invention may be or other suitable material, resting upon and se- 20 more fully understood, reference will be had curely fastened to the ties x and bolted to the to the accompanying drawings, wherein the main rails,the chairD at the point of the switch same letters of reference are used to desigbeing the highest and the chair D at the pivnate similar parts throughout the several oted end of the switch-point the lowest, these views. chairs being gradu'atedto the depression of 25 Figure 1 represents a plan view of the asthe switch-rail. The crank ends of these rocksembled switch. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view shafts G 0 pass through these chairs D D of one of the switch-points, such as we presaid chairs forming a solid and rigid bearing fer to employ, removedfrom the switch. Fig. for the same, the opposite ends of these rock 3 is a side elevation of the switch shown in shafts entering the chairs E E upon the op- 30 Fig. 1, parts being omitted. Fig. 4 is a perposite side of the track, forming a solid bear- 8o spective view of one of the rock-shafts which ing upon that side. F F are metallic plates support the vertically-movable switch-points. or projections, preferably made integral with Fig. 5 represents a section through the rails the chairs, and are provided upon their upat the point 5 5, Fig. 3, looking in the direcper faces with inclined surfaces sloping to- 5 tion of the arrow, the switch beingclosed for ward both ends, so that obstructions cannot the main track. Fig. 6 is a perspective view lodge thereon. The switch-points B B are of the hand operating mechanism for the supported upon these lugs c 0 the arrangeswitch. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the ment of these lugs being such that when all station-indicating mechanism and switch-opof the lugs upon one end of these rock-shafts o eratin g lever. Fig. 8 is a detail view, enbeneath one switch-point are in the upperlarged, of the switch-locking mechanism; and most position, and consequently support Fig. 9 represents asectional view through that switch-point up into position to engage the rails, showing the chair to which the lockthe flanges of the wheels, the lugs upon the ing mechanism is attached in elevation. opposite ends of these rock-shafts are de- 45 Referring first to Fig. 1, A A represent the pressed,allowing the switch-point which they 5 main rails, the rail A being continuous, While support to be lowered out of engagement with the rail A is bent off at an angle at a to form the wheel-flanges. In order to insure the dethe rail A of the siding. B B represent the pression of the switch-points when the rockvertically-movable switch-points for directshafts are rotated, an extension?) is provided 50 ing the wheels upon the main track or siding, having a bent end 1), adapted to be engaged IOO by the pin 0 or 0 upon the rock-shaft 0 when the same is rotated. To the cranks c of these rock-shafts O C is attached aconnecting-rod G, the pin of the crank upon the middle shaft 0 being elongated. II is a rod connected to this elongated crank-pin, provided with an elongated slot h,th rough which said elongated crank-pin passes. Projecting from the chair D are a pair of lugs (Z 61, upon which are pivotally supported the latches or dogs I 1', connected by the spiral tension-spring J, constantly tending to draw these latches toward each other. Stops j j are provided to limit the inward movement of these latches. These latches I 1 are provided with recesses t' 11, respectively, into which the lug h upon the rod H is adapted to rest when the switch is either fully open or fully closed. Connected to this rod II is aconnecting-rod K, which in turn is connected to the crank Z- upon the crank-shaft L. This crank-shaft is provided with a pair of cranks Z Z diametrically set upon the shaft L, above which are located the pivoted plates M M, resting upon the springs m. The opposite end of the rod H is connected to the crank it upon the crank shaft N, provided with the diametrically-set cranks a 12 above which are located the pivoted plates M M also resting upon springs m. X represents an indicating device of any suitable type, adapted to be operated by the connecting-rod x',connected to the rock-shat t wiwhich in turn may be connected to one of the rock-shafts O (3 which indicates to the engineer whether the switch is open or closed.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 6, which represents the hand-operatin g mechanism for the switch, 0 0 represent bearing-plates suspended between the ties, upon which is supported the rock-shaft P, mounted in bearings 19 p. This rock-shaft is provided at one end witha hand-operating lever p, and upon its opposite end is provided a crankarm 19 This crank-arm p is adapted to rest in the frame 72, upon the rod H and when swung far enough to either side engages one of the roll ers or stops 72 To lock the shaft P from 1'0- tating when not desired, the operating-lever p is passed through an elongated slot 0 in the support 0, and hinged plates 0 o are provided upon the top of this support, which plates are adapted to cover the slot upon each side of the operating-leverp' when the same is in its vertical position, when the hasp 0 which overlaps the edges of these plates 0 0 can be swung up and locked.

In Fig. '7 is shown an indicator adapted to be used in connection with our improved switch, also a switch-operating mechanism adapted to be operated from the station or other distant point. When these devices are employed, wires or flexible rods Q Q are connected to the double crank '12, which are preferably carried in an inclosing casing R to protect the Wires,this casing being provided with rollers 'r 'r to prevent binding and undue wear upon the ends of the casing. These wires Q Q lead from the switch to the station or other distant point through the casing R, the ends of these wires being connected to the double crank or rocker S. WVhen the switch is operated, this crank S is rocked, and as this crank carries a needle T the condition of the switch may be seen at any time. If desired, an alarm may be provided, which will be operated each time the switch is moved. In the drawings an electric hell 1/. and its circuitcompleting attachment is shown, one of the terminals it being connected to the indicatorneedle T, carrying a contact adapted to bear upon the segmental plate a, connected to the opposite terminal a of the bell, the needle T in swingingfrom one position to another causing its contact to pass over this segmental plate,and thus completing the circuit through the bell, the circuit being again interrupted when the needle has completed its movement in either direction upon the switch being either fully opened or closed, as the contact will pass off the end of the segmental plate H; but should the switch be only partly opened or closed the alarm will continue to sound, giving warning to the operator at the station. V is a hand-lever for testing and operating the switch from the station, the swinging of the lever V far enough in either direction causing the same to bind against one of the stops 1) upon the wire Q, causing the same to be reciprocated, the wire Q communicating its motion to the rod H, and so on to the switch-points. This lever may be provided with the locking mechanism, as shown in Fig. 6, for locking the leverin its vertical position.

In Fig. 2 is shown a novel form of switchpoint which we prefer to employ in connection with our invention. The lower flange w of this rail from its pivoted end to the point 10 where it touches the adjacent main rail, is narrower and the web is thicker than in the ordinary rail, and from the point 10 to the end of the rail 103 it is to be rolled tapering toward the end to a thickness necessary to give it sufticient strength. This portion of the rail has no flange, but its cross-sections are rectangularin shape. At the point 20 where the sivitch point is to fit against the side of the adjacent rail, this switch-point is bent so as to bring its outer edge into line to properly fit against the side of its adjacent rail. The inner or gage side of the rail is then cut out deep enough for the wheel-flanges, beginning at the point it; and increasing until a point'is formed at the end 10 thus keeping the gage side of the rail in one continuous straight line. The web at the point of the rail will be of the full thickness below the cut-away portion, thus materially increasing the strength of the rail.

The operation of the switch is as follows: Taking up the automatically-operated mechanism first, it will be understood that the pivoted plates M M are located at one end of the switch and the plates M M 'at the opposite eud of the switch, which are adapted to IOO be operated by wheels or other attachments carried by the locomotive, as has been fully shown and described in our patent aforesaid. \Vhen either of these plates are depressed, its shaft L or N, as the case may be, is rotated. Supposing for convenience that the plate M is'depressed, the shaft L will be rot-ated, the crank Z, carried thereby, swinging the rod H back toward the left. Untilthis rod H is reciprocated the switch cannot be operated, as the lug h (see Fig. 8) is held down by the latch or dog I, preventing the crank c from rotating; but when the rod H is reciprocated toward the left, as before stated, by the pivoted plates M or M the slot h in the rod H allows the said rod to be moved far enough to allow the lug h to become disengaged from the latch 1. .Subsequent movement of this rod H is then transmitted to the crank c, causing said crank to rotate, reciprocating the connecting-rod Gr, thereby rotating the rock-shafts 0 0 This causes the rail 13 to be lowered and the rail Braised, so as to close theswitch for the mainline and open itfor the siding. hen the plate M or M is operated upon, this same cycle of operations is repeated; but the parts are moved in the opposite direction and will set the switch for the siding, leaving the switch openforthe main line. For trains approaching the switch in one direction the plates M M are acted upon, and trains approaching in the opposite direction act upon the plates M M Whenitis desired to operate the switch either way by hand, the hasp 0 is unlocked and one of the plates 0 or 0 is swung back and the operating-handle p swung in that direction, depending upon whether the switch is to be opened or closed, one lid or plate being always closed to prevent the lever from being moved too far in being moved to its vertical position. In order to prevent the crank-arm 132 from looking the rod H against operation from eitherthe station or by the automatic means while the operating-han'dlep is locked, the rollers or stops 71 h between which the crank-arm p rests, are spaced so that during the movement of this rod H in either direction said rollers do not move far enough to engage the crank-arm 13 Then when the operating-leverp is swung back-say toward the left-the crank-arm 19? will engage the roller or stop, 7L3 and move the rod H toward the left, which will in this case cause the switch to be closed for the main track. The motion of this rod H when reciprocated toward the left will aways close the switch for the main track and when moved toward the right will open the switch, no matter by what means said rod may be actuated.

A device for holding the reciprocating rod H to its extreme positions consists of a roller z, pinioned on the bearing ziprojecting-from the double crank 72. A spring z,fastened to the tie, rests on this roller and presses it downwardly,.thi s pressure tending to retain the crank 11, and consequently the reciproeating rod H and its connected parts, in their extreme positions when shifted, thus preventing the partial opening'or closing ofthe switch, as well as to insure the proper action of'the switch-lockin g mechanism hereinbefore described.

As will. be obvious, the switch cannot be operated unless the rod His operated, because until this rod H is reciprocated in the proper direction the switch is' locked. The movement of this'rod H is indicated in the station by the indicator-needle-T, carried by the double crank or rocker S which is connected to the rod H by means of the wires Q Q through the double crank'n. Thus when said rod is reciprocated toward the left the indicating-needle T swings over toward the left, causing an electric contact which it carries to slide over the sector it and complete the circuit of an electric bell. If the switch is fully closed, the bell will cease to ring; but should the switch be only partially closed the contact will'still remain upon this segmental plate 10', causing the bell to ring, which ringing will continue until the switch is properly closed. This indicator is preferably provided with a dial, upon which may be marked the positions where the needle must rest when the switch is closed and open. Should it be desired to operate the switch from the switch tower or station, the operatinglever V is brought into action, said lever being swung to the left to close the switch and to the right to open the same. e

The indicator X may be located in prox imity to the switch, and its rock-shaft m2 is connected to one of the rock-shafts of the switch, so that when the switch is operated said indicatingdevice is operated also and is not dependent upon the hand-operating mechanism,

In placing this switch upon a railway it will be found advantageous to board over the various operating parts in order toprev'ent obstructions from falling into the switch and jamming the working parts, as well as to keep the parts clear of snow, ice, and'the like, such a covering being shownin our patenthereinbefore referred to; but, if preferred, this covering may be omitted.

While we have shown our invention as embodied in the form herein shown and described, it is obvious that many changes'and modifications might suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and it will be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise details herein shown and described.

Having thus described our said invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

l. In a railway-switch,the combination with"vertically-movable switch-points, rockshafts for elevating and depressing said switch-points, cranks upon the ends ofsaid shafts, and a rod connecting said cranks; of a rod connected to one of said cranks, and a lock for preventing the movement of said switch except through the reciprocation of said rod, substantially as described.

.2. In a railway-switch, the combination with vertically-movable switch-points, and rock-shafts supporting said switch-points; of a reciprocating rod connected to said rock- .shafts, a lug upon said rod, and latches or dogs adapted to engage said lug, substantially as described. y

3. In a railway-switch, the vcombination with vertically-movable switch-points, rockshafts for elevating and depressing said switch-points, and cranks uponthe ends of said rock-shafts; of a rod connected to one of the cranks upon said rock-shafts, a lug carried by said rod, and latches or dogs adapted to engage said lug, substantially as described.

4. In a railway-switch, the combination with vertically-movable switch-points, rockshafts for elevating and depressing said switch-points, cranks upon the ends of said rock-shafts, and a rod connecting said cranks together; of a rod having an elongated slot adapted to engage one of said cranks, a lug carried by said rod, and latches or dogs adapted to engage said lug, and lock the switch, substantially as described.

5. In a railway-switch, the combination with vertically-movable switch-points, rockshafts adapted to elevate and depress said switch-points, cranks upon the ends of said rock-shafts, and chairs supporting the main rails, in which said rock-shafts are journaled; of a rod connected to said cranks, a lug carried by said rod and latches or dogs supported upon one of said chairs, adapted to engage said lug when the switch is either open or closed, substantially as described.

6. In a railway-switch, the combination with vertically-movable switch-points, rockshafts, lugs carried by said rock-shafts for elevating and depressing said switch-points, and cranks upon said rock-shafts, connected together by a rod; of a rod connected to one of said cranks; a pair of rollers or stops scoured upon said rod, and a crank adapted to reciprocate said rod through said rollers or stops, substantially as described.

7. In a railway-switch, the combination with the switch-points, and means for raising andlowering said switch-points; of a rod connected to said mechanism, a rock-shaft carrying an operating-lever, rollers upon said rod, and a crank-arm upon said rock-shaft, adapted to reciprocate said rod through said rollers, substantially as described.

8. In a railway-switch, the combination with the switch-points, and means for raising and lowering said switch-points; of a rod connected to said mechanism, a rock-shaft carrying an operating-lever, rollers upon said rod, a crank-arm upon said rock-shaft, adapted to reciprocate said rod through said rollers, and means for locking said rock-shat t against rotation, substantially as described.

9. In a railway-switch, the combination with switch points, and means including a rod, for operating said switch-points; of a rock-shaft supported in bearings between the ties, an operating-lever carried by said rockshaft, a crank-arm upon the opposite end of said rock-shaft, stops upon said rod with which said crank-arm is adapted to engage, aslot in said bearing, and'hinged plates adapted to cover said slot upon each side of said operating-lever, locking the same against op: eration, substantially as described.

10. In a railway-switch, the combination with switch-points, and mechanism including a rod for operating said switch-points; of a double crank connected tov one end of said rod, wires connecting said double crank to an indicator, and an alarm or other device adapted to sound when the switch is opened or closed, substantially as described.

11. In a railway-switch, the combination with the switch-points, and mechanism includinga rod for operating said switch-points; of a double crank connected to one end of said rod, wires connecting said double crank to a second double crank, adapted to be located in a station, and an operating-lever adapted to engage stops upon one of said wires, to reciprocate said rod, substantially as described.

12. In a railway-switch, the combination with the switch-points, and mechanism includinga rod for-operating said switch-points; of a double crank connected to one end of said rod, wires connecting said double crank to a second double crank, adapted to be lo cated in a station, an operating-lever adapted to engage stops upon one of said wires, to reciprocate said rod, and an indicator carried by said double crank, substantially as described.

13. In a railway-switch, the combination with vertically-movable switch-points, and rock-shafts, supporting said switch-points of a reciprocating rod connected. to said rockshafts, a lug upon said rod, latches or dogs adapted to engage said lug, and stops adapted to limit the movement of said latches, substantially as described.

14:. In a railway-switch, the combination with vertically-movable switch-points, and rock-shafts supporting said switch-points, adapted to elevate and depress said switch"- points; of a reciprocating rod connected to said rock-shat ts, a lug upon said rod, latches or dogs adapted to engage said lug, a spring tending to draw said latches together, and stops adapted to limit the movement of said latches, substantially as described.

15. In a railway-switch, the combination with the switch-points, and mechanism including a rod for operating said switch-points; of a double crank connected to one end of said rod, wires connecting said double crank to a second double crank, adapted to be located in a station, an operating-lever adapted to engage stops upon one of said wires, to reciprocate said rod, and means for locking said operating-lever against operation, substantially as described.

16.-In a railway-switch, theocombination with the switch-points, and mechanism inclndinga rod for operating said switch-points; of a double crank connected to one end of said rod, wires connecting said double crank to a second double crank, adapted to be located in'a station, an operating-lever adapted to engage stops upon one of said wires, to reciprocate said rod, an indicator carried by said double crank, an electrical contact carried by said indicator, a sector-plate upon which said contact is adapted to bear, and abcll or other device connected in circuit with 4 said plate and contact, adapted to ring when the switch is being opened or closed, sn bstantially as described.

17. A switch-point for railway-switches, comprising a rail having its free end bent at an angle, and the gage side of this bent portion cut away to form a straight line with the remaining portion of the rail, deep enough to allow the wheel-flanges to pass.

18. A switch-point for railway-switches,

comprising a rail having narrow flanges at its pivoted end, these flanges disappearing at the free end of the switch-point, and the free end of the switch-point being composed of a solid tapering rectangular section,said rectangular portion being bent off from the remaining portion ofthe switch at an angle so as to fit against the side of the adjacent main rail, the gage side of the bent rectangular portion of the rail being cut away in a straight line with 

